WHY DOES GOD ALLOW TIMES OF SUFFERING?

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW TIMES OF SUFFERING?

“I want to know Christ – yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. ”

— Philippians 3:10-11

Through his word, God tells us that he has good plans for us. His desire for us is to grow to be the best we can be. And the best we can be is to become more like Jesus. As God transforms us into the image of Jesus, we become the best version of ourselves.

It turns out that the greatest times of spiritual growth for most people occurs during times of mourning and suffering. And since God’s greatest goal is for us is to grow and transform into the image of Jesus, it means sometimes he will allow us to go through times of pain and suffering. But the key is that he will use your mourning to mold and shape you into the image of his son, Jesus.

Here are some of the things Jesus endured and experienced through his earthly ministry. How many of these can YOU relate with?

Rejected by his family

Rejected by his own people

Rejected by everyone

Betrayed by his close friend

Death of family and friends

Persecuted

Beaten

Arrested

Died

Lied to

Falsely accused

Separated from father

Forsaken

Mistreated

Hated

Jesus knows what it is like to feel the way you did in times of suffering. And you know what it is like to feel the way he did in those times as well. As we approach the end of the year, take some time to reflect on how you know Jesus a little more because of your suffering. Share some thoughts or encourage other readers who are currently in the midst of navigating through their own time of suffering.

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Kyle Idleman

Kyle is the Teaching Pastor at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Author of the award-winning and bestselling book, not a fan. Kyle has contributed to 8 of our products including: AHA, gods at War, H2O, Not a Fan, Not a Fan Teen Edition, and The End of Me.